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Auction: 11011 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 17

Family Group: A Good Second War 1945 G.M. Group of Five to Sergeant C. McGee, Royal Engineers, For Saving Life at Sea Following an Explosion in Bari Harbour a) George Medal, G.VI.R. (2002278 Sgt. Charles McGee, R.E.) b) 1939-1945 Star c) Africa Star d) Italy Star e) War Medal, extremely fine, with the following related items: - Army Council Enclosure for the Second War awards - Card boxes of issue for the George Medal and Second War awards, the latter addressed to Mr. C. McGee, 16 Cliff Road, Fairfield, Buxton - The recipient´s riband bar - The recipient´s Seaman´s Record Book and Continuous Certificate of Discharge - The recipient´s Passport, issued 22.4.1947 -Two photographs of the recipient, including one with his parents outside Buckingham Palace after receiving his George Medal - Two Buckingham Palace Investiture ticket stubs, dated 12.3.1946 - Various newspaper cuttings regarding the award of the George Medal - Buxton Silver Jubilee Medal 1935; and three lapel badges Pair: Sapper A.O. McGee, Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (284423 Spr. A.O. McGee. R.E.), nearly very fine Pair: Attributed to Air-Fitter G. McGee, Fleet Air Arm Pacific Star; War Medal, extremely fine, with Admiralty Enclosure and named card box of issue, addressed to Mr. G. McGee, 16 Cliff Road, Fairfield, Buxton, Derbyshire (9) Estimate £ 2,400-2,800 G.M. London Gazette 9.11.1945 No. 2002278 Sergeant Charles McGee, Corps of Royal Engineers (Fairfield, Buxton) [in a joint citation with No. 892090 Sergeant William Taylor Dalgarno, Corps of Royal Engineers, and No. 1877511 Sergeant Frederick Charles Hodgson, Corps of Royal Engineers] ´In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.´ The Recommendation states: ´At Bari, on April 9, 1945, the S.S. Charles Henderson, containing about 2,300 tons of bombs, exploded whilst being discharged at the berth. The force of the explosion forced the fore-end of the ship through the water and partly submerged it some 10 feet away from the quay. The Fire Fighting Service was unable to cope with the resulting fire which occurred. Sergeant McGee, therefore, secured a ladder and placed it across the water gap and got a hose on board. Sergeants Dalgarno and Hodgson quickly followed Sergeant McGee´s lead, the latter directing water onto the fire from the hose, although he was well aware that No.1 hold contained a quantity of 500lb. bombs. Being a Stevedore, he fully appreciated the danger involved, and after taking the lead in extinguishing the fire, he heard cries for help from below. Without hesitation, these three Sergeants descended the ladder into the lower hold and succeeded in extricating two injured Italian Stevedores, who were fortunately still alive. By this time the dock water was studded with patches of burning oil and debris, and within the immediate vicinity of the petrol ship and three other ships containing ammunition, which were burning. The courage of these three N.C.O.s in getting to the seat of the fire undoubtedly prevented a further explosion and further casualties. Although Sergeant McGee was the instigator and organiser of this joint action, this does not diminish the courage of Sergeants Dalgarno and Hodgson, who promptly and voluntarily followed his lead.´ 2002278 Sergeant Charles McGee, G.M., born Buxton, Derbyshire, 17.10.1919, the eldest son of Sapper A.O. McGee, Royal Engineers; served with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War; after the War he served as a Ship´s Steward on the Cunard liner R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. Charles McGee´s younger brother, George McGee, served during the Second World War with the Fleet Air Arm in Australia.

Sold for
£5,500